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I love books that change my line of thinking or at least challenge linear logic. Some books do this by presenting a challenge and overcoming it (or not overcoming it) in a way that we could never dream. Others put to rest notions that have been pounded into society’s heads.

These books, all released between 2013 and now, do just that: They boggle our brains by shocking us.

Glass Half Full: Our Australian Adventureby Sarah Jane Butfield

Going to Australia has been on my bucket list since I was 12 (it’s a long story), and reading Butfield’s memoir ignited the travel bug in me yet again.

This memoir follows Butfield and her family’s difficult and often emotional voyage to foreign lands in a way that will pretty much drain you … in a good way, of course!

Why it will shock you: Australia is this perfect oasis, right? Well, yes and no. Butfield and her family brave many elements after moving from England to Australia (cue penal-colony joke).

But they do it while keeping a positive attitude.

Whyyou should read it: It is super-inspiring. Fans of Wild will find it especially refreshing, because it has that same sense of going on a journey through rough times, and is told through a strong woman’s point of view. Plus, as many obstacles as there are thrown at Butfield, she always manages to “make lemonade.”

My Hero Walks on Water
by Brian Dobson

This inspirational memoir follows the journey of a man from his hard times to finding great success, in the form of bodybuilding. It’s the male equivalent of a Cinderella story.

Why it will shock you: This is the most honest book I’ve read in a long time. It chronicles Dobson’s addictions and rebellion unapologetically, which just adds to the buildup before Dobson turns his life around. Actually, he does more than just turn his life around: He helps countless others do the same.

Why you should read it: The fact that Dobson did such a 180 with his life is just the perfect example of how anything is possible. This man founded a gym, where he then discovered and trained athletes like Ronnie Coleman to become Mr. Olympia eight times! Oh, and he started a ministry to feed the homeless … with fish he catches himself. Does it get more awe-inspiring than that?

Egghead: Or, You Can’t Survive on Ideas Alone by Bo Burnham

I have been a Bo Burnham fan since his YouTube days. In high school, I dedicated countless hours to memorizing Words, Words, Words in its entirety. And it is still a neat party trick to spew out that gem. So of course, Bo’s first book is just brilliant, and demented, and hilarious.

Why it will shock you: Well, besides the fact that he pens the phrase “muscular teeth,” which still makes me do that weird snort-laugh thing that I thought I was done with, his prose is so unexpected. The same delivery he has on stage is punched into this monster of a book.

Why you should read it: This is a quick read. But if you read it like I did, it will take a while, because you have to keep going back to find jokes that you missed. That’s how clever this guy is. There are many layers to his comedy—and some very valid points.

Why We Love Serial Killers
by Scott Bonn

Any book about serial killers will probably scare the bejesus out of you. Trust me, I know. But Bonn’s book is a bit different in how it goes about it. The book delves into society’s fascination with serial killers (have you turned on your TV recently?) and what makes those killers tick.

Why it will shock you: First off, your ideas about serial killers are probably wrong. They are not all like Buffalo Bill or Dexter. Some actually have functioning families, and some are women. But more than that, we are asked to look at ourselves and understand how our feeding into the serial-killer spectacle often fuels these monsters.

Whyyou should read it: This is a really intelligent book that puts a new spin on a popular topic in an unexpected way. Plus, Bonn actually talks to Son of Sam and BTK. Spoiler: They are just as insane as you’d imagine.

Expression Of JoyThe Brady Bunch: Groovy! The Bradys: Ritual hugging Married…With Children: ”Oh, great.” Thirtysomething: ”Of course I’m happy for you. Really. But what about me? Why does it always have to be about you? The Flintstones: ”Yabba-dabba doo

Expression Of Rage

The Brady Bunch: ”Hmmm…” The Bradys: ”If you back away from something you really want, then you’re a quitter!” (the angriest any Brady has ever been) Married…With Children: ”Aaagh, God, take me from this miserable life!” Thirtysomething: ”I’m not angry, OK?” The Flintstones: ”Willllmaaaa!”

Typical ProblemThe Brady Bunch: Marcia and her rival both want to be the prom queen. The Bradys: Bobby gets paralyzed. Married…With Children: Al doesn’t buy his family Christmas presents. Thirtysomething: Nancy gets cancer. The Flintstones: Fred and Barney are staying out too late.

Typical SolutionThe Brady Bunch: The prom committee decides to have two queens. The Bradys: Bobby gets married. Married…With Children: They hate him. Thirtysomething: If only we knew… The Flintstones: Wilma and Betty decide to follow them.

Attitude Toward SexThe Brady Bunch: Never heard of it The Bradys: Omigod — even Cindy does it! Married…With Children: Peg: Yes. Al: No. Thirtysomething: They didn’t get all those kids by accident. The Flintstones: Prehistoric

How Spouses FightThe Brady Bunch: They don’t. The Bradys: Infrequently, but it happens Married…With Children: Tooth and nail Thirtysomething: They stop talking The Flintstones: Fred and Barney go bowling while Wilma and Betty max out their charge cards.

How Kids Get Into TroubleThe Brady Bunch: Greg takes a puff of a cigarette. The Bradys: Carol’s grandson steals her business cards and sticks them in the spokes of Bobby’s wheelchair. Married…With Children: By committing felonies Thirtysomething: Ethan plays with a forbidden toy rocket. The Flintstones: They don’t.

How They’re Punished

The Brady Bunch: ”It’s not what you did, honey — it’s that you couldn’t come to us.” The Bradys ”Next time, ask.” Married…With Children: By the authorities Thirtysomething: It blows up in his face. The Flintstones: They’re not.

What Family Does For FunThe Brady Bunch: Takes special three-part vacations to Hawaii and the Grand Canyon The Bradys: Has flashbacks Married…With Children: Exchanges insults Thirtysomething: Talks The Flintstones: Attends showings of The Monster at the Bedrock Drive-In

Unsolved MysteriesThe Brady Bunch: How exactly did Carol’s first husband and Mike’s first wife die? The Bradys: What’s with Marcia’s new face and Bobby’s blonde hair Married…With Children: What kind of hair spray does Peg use? Thirtysomething: Why did Nancy take Elliot back? What do Gary and Susanna see in each other? The Flintstones: How does Barney’s shirt stay on if he has no shoulders? Where do Fred and Wilma plug in their TV?

Worst BehaviorThe Brady Bunch: The Brady children once made Alice feel under-appreciated.

Best Reason To WatchThe Brady Bunch: This is what life should be. The Bradys: They’re all grown-ups now! Married…With Children: Terry Rakolta hates it. Thirtysomething (Tie) This is your life. This isn’t your life. The Flintstones: This is what life might have been.

Best Reason Not To WatchThe Brady Bunch: Blurred vision from rerun overdoses. The Bradys: You’re all grown-ups now. Married…With Children: She has a point. Thirtysomething: After a while, you think it’s real. The Flintstones: The Simpsons